Régate XOD at the Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon - Day 1
by Robert Jardine & Jo Haill 1 Sep 2012 17:02 BST
1-4 September 2012
The XOD fleet on the dock next to the Yacht Club du Crouesty Arzon © Jo Haill
A ten-strong fleet of XOD's have travelled to Port Crouesty in the Bay of Quiberon for a Centenary international regatta.
All arrived without incident and then stepped their masts using an ingenious setup between two J/24s and then all craned in. The warm Brittany sunshine made the job very enjoyable.
All have been given a very genial welcome and the crews are enjoying the delicious local food and drink!
High spirits could not contend with high pressure to encourage the wind so the morning was spent slowly sailing around the start boat waiting for the start. At midday the first glimmers of hope with a 5 mph NW wind encouraging the committee to look for course options.
Race one got underway in light and changeable conditions with Lara establishing an early lead with Lone Star second and Delight third. Two-thirds of the way up the first beat a wind change favoured the left taking X75 Delight up to first and Lara into third with Lone Star remaining second. A change of course missed by Delight almost let Lone Star though on the second beat, but the day was saved as the old mark was lifted by the committee boat alerting Delight of the change. Delight took the win with Lone Star second with Lara third.
Race two was sailed in slightly more breeze, enabling Lone Star to get away from an excellent start and keep the lead with Lara and Delight biting at her heals all the way.
XOD's taking part
Stuart Jardine, X119, Lone Star
Willy McNeil, X123, Lara
John Miller, X16, Mystery
Paul Kelsey, X52, Anitra
John Harding, X90, Calypso
Mike Till, X162, Xenia
Mark Hall, X147, Foxy
Andy Baker & Neal Brewer, X105, Blue Phantom
Stu Haill, X75, Delight
William Norris, X178, Beatrix